ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Odisha
The Income Tax Department has carried out search and seizure operations on 03/12/2020 in the case of a Group involved in the manufacturing and trading of steel products having premises in and around Rourkela, Odisha.
The Group entities were booking bogus purchases of around Rs. 170 crore for two financial years in the name of 17 bogus entities. All the 17 parties have confessed in the statements recorded during the course of search and seizure operation, that they were unaware of any such business concerns in their name. It is also observed that the total amount was withdrawn in cash from the bank accounts of these bogus entities. Further, all the proprietors or directors of the bogus entities are daily wage labourers or from economically weaker sections.
Further investigations are going on.
Prime Minister's Office
PM appreciates Kalanjali, a unique cultural spectacle for organising weekly cultural programmes at Central Vista
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has appreciated Kalanjali, a unique cultural spectacle by Ministry Of Culture under which various kinds of cultural programmes will be organised at Central Vista, India Gate in Delhi every weekend.
Sharing a tweet by Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“An added reason to visit the Central Vista area...a celebration of India's cultural diversity and vibrancy.”
Prime Minister's Office
Government announces further measures to help families who lost the earning member due to Covid
Family Pension to be given to dependents of those who lost their lives due to Covid under Employees State Insurance Corporation
Insurance benefits under the EDLI scheme enhanced and liberalized
These schemes will help mitigate financial difficulties faced by the families: PM
In addition to the measures announced under PM CARES for Children- Empowerment of Covid affected children, Government of India has announced further measures to help families who have lost the earning member due to Covid. They will provide pension to families of those who died due to Covid and an enhanced & liberalised insurance compensation.
PM said that his Government stands in solidarity with their families. He also said that through these schemes, efforts are being made to mitigate financial difficulties that may be faced by them.
- Family Pension under Employees State Insurance Corporation 
- To help family live a life of dignity and maintain a good standard of living, benefit of ESIC pension scheme for employment related death cases is being extended to even those who have died due to Covid. Dependent family members of such persons will be entitled to the benefit of pension equivalent to 90% of average daily wage drawn by the worker as per the existing norms. This benefit will be available retrospectively with effect from 24.03.2020 and for all such cases till 24.03.2022.
- Employees Provident Fund Organization- Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 
The insurance benefits under the EDLI scheme have been enhanced and liberalized. Apart from all other beneficiaries, this will in particular help the families of employees who have lost their lives due to COVID.
- Amount of maximum insurance benefit has been increased from ₹ 6 lakh to ₹ 7 lakh
- The provision of minimum insurance benefit of ₹ 2.5 lakh has been restored and will apply retrospectively from 15th February 2020 for the next three years
- To benefit families of contractual/ casual workers, the condition of continuous employment in only one establishment has been liberalized, with benefit being made available to families of even those employees who may have changed jobs in the last 12 months preceding his death.
Detailed guidelines of these schemes are being issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Ministry of Finance
National Housing Bank makes available Rs. 10,000 crore for Housing Finance Companies; step to further ease fund flow to housing sector
FM to meet heads of Public/Private Sector Banks to review credit growth in important sectors of economy
Finance Minister to meet stakeholders to finalise decisions and timelines for action on report by Expert Committee on MSME
HFC Liquidity Support
Subsequent to the Union Budget, RBI had unveiled measuresfor banks to avail additional liquidity of ₹ 1,34,000crores. Now, as announced in the Union Budget and as detailed by the Department of Economic Affairs, the backstop guarantee to banks for NBFC portfolios taken over by them has become effective. Banks will be utilising this guarantee support as per the contours of the scheme.
To further ease flow of funds to the housing sector, the National Housing Bank  is making available from today, a liquidity infusion facility of Rs. 10,000 Cr. for Housing Finance Companies  as additional liquidity for individual housing loans, for affordable housing. Details of the facility will be available on the NHB website later today. This facility shall be over and above the two existing refinance schemes of NHB.
Banking
The Finance Minister will be meeting heads of all Public Sector Banks and heads of major Private Sector Banks on Monday 5thAugust, 2019, to review matters relating to growth of credit in various important sectors of the economy such as MSMEs, retail, automobiles, affordable housing, NBFCs/ HFCs and areas of priority for the banking sector in the coming months for accelerating GDP growth.
MSME Expert Committee
The Expert Committee on MSMEs headed by Sh. U.K. Sinha has submitted its report in June this year. The Sinha committee has made over a hundred far reaching recommendations for the MSME sector. These recommendations encompass various domains such as credit, equity funding, technology, marketing, delayed payments, institutional arrangements, need for legislative changes, rural enterprises, SHGs, risk mitigation for MSMEs, setting up of specific funds by Government etc. Taken together, the recommendations seek to enhance competitiveness of our MSMEs and their access to credit.
Many of the actions proposed by the Committee involve inter - ministerial or inter - agency co-ordination. The Finance Minister will be holding a meeting within the next week with the concerned stakeholders including the Ministry of MSME, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Departments of Commerce, Industrial Promotion, Telecom, Revenue, Expenditure, SIDBI, NPCI amongst others, to finalise decisions and time lines for action in this regard.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Nation pays homage to Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on his 133th Birth Anniversary
The President Smt. Droupadi Murmu led the nation in paying homage to Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 133th birth anniversary here today. The President offered floral tributes at the statue of Baba Saheb at Sansad Bhavan Lawns in the Parliament House complex at this morning.
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla also offered floral tributes to the Father of the Indian Constitution Dr. Ambedkar.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virender Kumar and other Union Ministers, leaders dignitaries also offered tributes.
The function was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 158.88 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 18,31,000
- Active cases stand at 4.83%
- Recovery Rate currently at 93.88%
- 1,88,157 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,55,83,039
- 2,82,970 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- 8,961 Total Omicron cases detected so far; an increase of 0.79% since yesterday
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 70.74 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 18,69,642 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Finance Commission
15th Finance Commission to hold meetings with RBI and Banks & Financial Institutions and Eminent Economists.
The 15th Finance Commission has scheduled a two-days visit to Mumbai to hold meetings with the Reserve Bank of India  and with the Banks and Financial Institutions on 8th and 9th May, 2019. The Commission will be headed by its Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh and include all its Members and senior officials.
In the meeting with the RBI, headed by Governor Shri Shaktikanta Das, the Commission is likely to discuss the following issues:-
- Views on key macro-economic assumptions for the Fifteenth Finance Commission , keeping in view the key parameters central to macro-financial stability.
- Views on the cost of borrowings of the Centre and the States during the award period of the FCXV.
- Modalities for ensuring that the borrowing cost becomes increasingly market-driven.
- Issues in quantifying contingent liabilities of States and off-budget transactions of States, and other issues of public financial management.
- Views on possible debt trajectories of States and State-specific consolidation road map.
- Requirements of recapitalisation of banks and their impact on the cost of borrowings of governments.
- Possible scenarios of the Bimal Jalan Committee Report on surplus capital available with the RBI for transfer to the Government of India.
- RBI’s own assessment of the dividends and surpluses that can be transferred to the Government of India during the award period of FCXV.
In the meeting with the Banks and Financial Institutions the following issues are likely to be raised:-
- Cost of borrowings of the Centre and the States during the award period of the FCXV.
- Modalities for ensuring that the borrowing cost becomes increasingly market-driven.
- Recapitalization of banks and their impact on the cost of borrowings of governments.
The meeting is to be attended by State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Axis Bank Ltd. HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Yes Bank Ltd, IDFC First Bank Ltd., IDBI Bank Limited.
The Commission will also hold a detailed meeting with eminent economists to discuss the various Terms of Reference of the 15th Finance Commission. The economists who will be attending the meeting include Ms. Rupa Rege Nitsure, Mr. Saugata Bhattacharya, Ms. Prachi Mishra, Mr. Sajjid Chenoy, Mr. Neelkanth Mishra, Dr. Samiran Chakraborty, Ms. Pranjul Bhandari, Ms. Ashu Suyash, Mr. Naresh Takkar, Mr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Mr. Ajit Ranade, Ms. Mala Lalvani, Dr. Mahendra Dev, Dr. Avadhoot Nadkarni, Dr. S.L. Shetty.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Celebration organised by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through Webinar
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas today observed the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas which commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel, by organising a Webinar. It was attended by about 1000 officers and staff of the Ministry of Petroleum Natural Gas, oil and gas PSUs and other organisations under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry.
Shri Tarun Kapoor, Secretary, MoPNG, while paying rich tribute to Sardar Patel on his Birth Anniversary, highlighted his unparalleled contribution in the independent India and also stressed the need for upholding the vision of Sardar Patel in our daily activities by serving the people of the country in a transparent, humane and effective manner.
Shri Ramesh Negi, former Chief Secretary, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Shri M.A. Pathan, Former Chairman, IOCL, addressed during the observance of Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The relevance of Sardar Patel’s vision for oil and gas industry in serving the people of the country better and in an efficient manner was highlighted.
The programme concluded with the Vote of Thanks by Shri R.K. Mohapatra, Director , IOCL.
Secretary, MoPNG had earlier administered the pledge to the officials of the Ministry.
Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI
Office of PSA to celebrate Swachhta Saarthi Samaroh 2022
To celebrate the completion of the first year of the Swachhta Saarthi fellowship , the Waste to Wealth Mission of the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India is hosting a two-day event, ‘Swachhta Saarthi Samaroh’ on 30th September and 1st October 2022 at the Indian Institute of Technology , Delhi.
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India  in partnership with Invest India through its Waste to Wealth Mission, launched the “Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship”  on 1st July 2021. SSF is a citizen-centric initiative to sensitise communities toward waste management and offer innovative solutions for the conversion of value from waste. The aim of the fellowships is to empower people at the grass-root level under three categories  school-going students,  college-going students, and  community workers/self-help groups/sanitary workers. The 2-day event will give the Swachhta Saarthi fellows  under the Waste to Wealth Mission an opportunity to showcase their work and the impact made within their community with their peers to a large audience which will help in inspiring people across the nation to actively work towards waste management.
In the first batch of the fellowship, the Office of PSA selected 344 fellows across 27 states and 6 UTs based on their ideas and action plans to tackle the enormous challenge of waste management, scientifically and sustainably. As ambassadors of change, these 344 fellows have conducted over 2500 sensitisation programs including workshops, cleanliness drives, technology intervention, development of prototypes, audio-video demonstrations, one-on-one discussions, and creation of innovative radio jingles, sensitising over 3.1 lakh citizens.
The event will be held at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, and will be attended by eminent dignitaries including the Principal Scientific Adviser  to GoI, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs , Municipal Corporation of Delhi, academic and research institutions, industries, startups, etc. to share the details of the work done under ‘Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship ’ initiative. All the SSFs from across 27 states and six UTs under the 2021 Cohort have been invited to Delhi to showcase their work in the form of posters/prototypes/papers/presentations/products in the event as part of an exhibition.
Download the invites here:
IN ENGLISH
IN HINDI
For more details, visit https://www.wastetowealth.gov.in/fellowship-home or email wastetowealthmission@investindia.org.in
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Ministry of Defence
Indian Coast Guard, Goa successfully rescues Research Ship of CSIR-NIO, Saves 36 Lives
Goa, 27 July 2023
The Indian Coast Guard demonstrated efficiency and rapid response in a daring rescue operation that saved 36 lives and prevented a potential environmental catastrophe. The Research Vessel 'Sindhu Sadhana,' belonging to CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography , was in distress and perilously drifting towards Karwar, carrying eight scientists and a total crew of 36 individuals. The ship had encountered an engine and total power failure, rendering it motionless and at the mercy of the sea's currents. The distress signal was received at the Coast Guard District Headquarters in Goa at approximately 1300 hrs on July 26, 2023.
The situation was critical as the 'Sindhu Sadhana' was equipped with valuable scientific instruments and carried crucial research data. Furthermore, the vessel's proximity to the ecologically sensitive Karwar coastline posed an imminent threat of grounding, which could have resulted in a major oil spill, causing devastating pollution to the pristine marine environment.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, the Indian Coast Guard launched a high-priority rescue mission, dispatching two advanced Ships, ICGS Sujeet and ICGS Varaha, along with skilled teams to the area. Recognizing the potential magnitude of the disaster, the Indian Coast Guard promptly initiated measures to safeguard the Ship, protect the fragile ecosystem, and prevent the vessel from running aground.
Despite facing extreme weather conditions in the area, with a sea state of 5-6 and winds gusting up to 45 knots, the Indian Coast Guard pressed ahead with the operation to tow the distressed CSIR-NIO vessel. Towing a ship under such challenging circumstances required immense skill and determination, but ICGS Sujeet successfully took the 'Sindhu Sadhana' under tow, and both ships are currently en route to Goa, expected to reach Mormugao harbor on the morning of 28th July. The crew onboard the CSIR-NIO research vessel is safe and sound.PIB Panaji | Gautam SK/S.Thakur/D.Rane
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
THE SCHEME OF PRADHAN MANTRI ADARSH GRAM YOJANA ,
PRADHAN MANTRI ANUSUCHIT JAATI ABHYUDAY YOJANA ,
The Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana , which is now being implemented as 'Adarsh Gram' component of the Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana , has been designed with an area based approach, wherein villages having high density of Scheduled Castes  populations are taken up for holistic development. In order to cater to more SC population, the selection criteria for villages has been recently revised in 2022-23 from 'more than 50%' SC population to 'more than 40%'.
For such SC persons who are not residing in villages selected under the Adarsh Gram component of the Scheme of PM-AJAY, provisions are available under the other two components of this scheme, namely, 'Grants-in-aid' and 'Hostel' components, wherein central assistance is available for comprehensive livelihood projects, skill development as well as infrastructure including hostels, for persons belonging to Scheduled Castes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in Lok Sabha, today.
Ministry of Communications
No link between 5G technology and spread of COVID-19
It has come to the notice of the Department of Telecommunications , Ministry of Communications that several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers. As per a press statement issued by DoT these messages are false and absolutely not correct. The press statement informs that the general public is hereby informed that there is no link between 5G technology and spread of COVID-19 and they are urged not to be misguided by the false information and rumours spread in this matter. The claims linking the 5G technology with the COVID-19 pandemic are false and have no scientific basis. Moreover, it is informed that the testing of the 5G network has not yet started anywhere in India. Hence, the claim that 5G Trials or networks are causing coronavirus in India is baseless and false.
Mobile towers emit non-ionizing Radio frequencies having very minuscule power and are incapable of causing any kind of damage to living cells including human beings. Department of Telecommunications  has prescribed norms for exposure limit for the Radio Frequency Field  which are 10 times more stringent than the safe limits prescribed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection  and recommended by WHO.
Initiatives already taken by DoT:
DoT has a well-structured process so that TSPs strictly adhere to these prescribed norms. However, any citizen having any apprehension about any mobile tower emitting radio waves beyond the safe limit prescribed by the department, a request for EMF measurements/testing can be made on Tarang Sanchar portal at https://tarangsanchar.gov.in/emfportal .
To allay the fear of general public regarding health effects of EMF emission from mobile tower, DoT has been taking several steps to generate awareness among the public about EMF radiation such as Nation-wide Awareness Programme, distribution of pamphlets/ information brochure on various topics related to EMF, publishing detailed information on EMF related issues on the website of DoT, advertisements in newspapers, launch of “Tarang Sanchar” portal etc. The field units of DoT have also been organizing public awareness events so that more and more people are made aware about the scientific facts on health effects of EMF emissions from mobile towers.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM speaks to Kerala CM about heavy rains and landslides in Kerala
PM condoles loss of lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Kerala
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has Spoken to Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. The Prime Minister has also expressed deep grief over the loss of lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Kerala.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"Spoke to Kerala CM Shri @vijayanpinarayi and discussed the situation in the wake of heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Authorities are working on the ground to assist the injured and affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.
It is saddening that some people have lost their lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families."
Prime Minister's Office
Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the situation in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized India's belief in respect for international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, as the basis of the contemporary world order.
The two leaders also discussed issues of bilateral interests and agreed on the potential of further deepening cooperation in various areas including trade, technology, investments, defence & security, and people-to-people relations. Prime Minister Modi expressed his satisfaction at the positive momentum in the ongoing negotiations on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement. He also appreciated the progress in implementing the 'India-UK Roadmap 2030' adopted during the Virtual Summit between both leaders last year.
The Prime Minister conveyed his desire to welcome PM Johnson in India at an early date, as per mutual convenience.